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Stuttgart to meet Bayern in Cup final

VfB Stuttgart will face favourites Bayern Munich in June's German Cup final after they enjoyed a 2-1 semi-final win at home against Freiburg on Wednesday.

The victory was a double bonus to Stuttgart as they are now guaranteed a Europa League place next season as final opponents Bayern have qualified for the Champions League.

With Bundesliga champions Bayern chasing the treble, having reached the Champions League semi-final where they face Barcelona on Tuesday, Stuttgart are hunting their first silverware since 2007.

The semi-final got off to an explosive start as Stuttgart attacked relentlessly and scored the opening goal when Ivory Coast defensive midfielder Arthur Boka fired home a Ibrahima Traore cross after only nine minutes.

Boka was then involved at the other end as he failed to stop Jan Rosenthal's run at goal and the midfielder delicately placed his shot past Stuttgart goalkeeper Sven Ulreich to equalise for Freiburg just five minutes later.

Hosts Stuttgart then regained the lead on 29 minutes after chaos in the Freiburg defence before Austrian right-winger Martin Harnik headed home a looping cross from Christian Gentner against the underside of the bar, which proved to be the winner.

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VfB Stuttgart will face favourites Bayern Munich in June's German Cup final after they enjoyed a 2-1 semi-final win at home against Freiburg on Wednesday.

The victory was a double bonus to Stuttgart as they are now guaranteed a Europa League place next season as final opponents Bayern have qualified for the Champions League.

With Bundesliga champions Bayern chasing the treble, having reached the Champions League semi-final where they face Barcelona on Tuesday, Stuttgart are hunting their first silverware since 2007.

The semi-final got off to an explosive start as Stuttgart attacked relentlessly and scored the opening goal when Ivory Coast defensive midfielder Arthur Boka fired home a Ibrahima Traore cross after only nine minutes.

Boka was then involved at the other end as he failed to stop Jan Rosenthal's run at goal and the midfielder delicately placed his shot past Stuttgart goalkeeper Sven Ulreich to equalise for Freiburg just five minutes later.

Hosts Stuttgart then regained the lead on 29 minutes after chaos in the Freiburg defence before Austrian right-winger Martin Harnik headed home a looping cross from Christian Gentner against the underside of the bar, which proved to be the winner.